With both Guyana and Suriname having realized significant fortune-changing oil discoveries in recent years, two of South America’s poorest countries that have for decades been locked in a border dispute characterized by awkward confrontations could be positioning themselves to engage in a collaborative initiative that could set both countries on a path to comprehensive economic transformation.
Earlier this week, in his first international assignment since assuming the office of Head of State in August, President Irfaan Ali paid a visit to Suriname, his opposite number having earlier visited Guyana for Ali’s installation as President.
The discussions between the two Heads of State in the Surinamese capital Paramaribo explored the possibility of co-operation to create a deepwater harbour that will provide shorebase support services for the massive volumes of hydrocarbon resources to be found in the Guyana-Suriname Basin.